COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 684, 8 December 1909, Page 8

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

TWO RESOLUTIONS.' "Non-Contentious" in its main principle, is the verdict passed upon the Defence Bill by the Citizens' Committee for Universal Military Training. A meeting of the Public Subcommittee for Universal Military Training was- held last evening,, when it was unanimously resolved: : "That this committee strongly urges the Government and members of Parliament'to pass the Defence Bill this session, on the ground that its main principle is noncontentious, and that the measure is urgently needed-for the protection of. the .country." 1 orced . militarism,'" is the ; ' Petone School Committee s. interpretation of the Bill. At its meeting last ovening, the committee resolved, on the motion of the chairman (Mr. D. MTKen-' ae): "That the Petone District School Committee respectfully protests against the intended forced militarism of our youth, as contained and outlined in the. Defence. Bill now before tho House of Eepresentatives, The parents oi the boys we. represent do. not want forced military, training, .which is, in substance, conscription. . It is the end of .the. wedge' that takes away 'independence and freedom. -It-is unpopular, is distasteful, and is not. required. It will make the life'of-onr-youth-a- compulsory burden instead of a pleasure, as is at present experienced under the voluntary junior and senior cadet systems. When boys arc at school, and until the age of eighteen, tastead of learning the 'offensive', they should learn the Jesson of the> arts of peace andgoodwm towards men. -Wo-bellow fr the ideal of a m^™l my ' rpr-ywtt- and man being a marksman, each having enough' knowledge' of the necessities ofj discipline ■■ and drill This can bo achieved without an: appeal to force by improving the methods of the present volu* teer system, and bv being generous «nrfl i™ s.derate to .those who jofn tie , ranks."